Why you should visit Istanbul

Feel like Ottoman Royalty whilst wandering through the opulence of Topkapi Palace

Visit the resting place for the fallen of WWI on the Gallipoli Peninsula

Our Specialists ‘Must Do’

If you’re lost or in need of something, talk to the locals, their friendly, polite nature means their helpful attitude will go beyond your expectations.

Walk through the grounds of the Blue Mosque during the call to prayer, wonderfully atmospheric and it will provide the sound track to your holiday to Turkey.

The ornate Hareem in Topkapi Palace is well worth the extra Lira.

A little more about Istanbul

Friendly, welcoming and packed full of epic historical sites, Istanbul provides all that you could wish for from a grand city, with the atmosphere and warmth of a small, local town.

Turkey’s most recognisable city, Istanbul, lies in the western corner of the country and is where East meets West and traditional and modern live side by side. With the Western half of Istanbul in Europe and the Eastern in Asia with the Bosphorus Strait flowing between them, it is the only metropolis in the world situated on two continents.

Visit some of the UNESCO World Heritage sites, barter your way through the labyrinthine grand bazaar, wander the cobbled streets of the ancient Jewish, Greek and Armenian neighbourhoods, take a ferry trip on the Bosphorus or just relax and enjoy the skyline from one of the rooftop bars.

On the Gallipoli peninsula, visit now peaceful cemeteries, resting place for the fallen of WWI. South of the Sea of Marmara, beneath the slopes of Uludag (Great Mountain) lies the energetic and modern city of Bursa, often referred to as Green Bursa due to its numerous parks, gardens and the lush forests. Bursa is also rich in Ottoman architecture as well as being known for its famous Turkish dishes, in particular candied chestnuts and Ishkender kebab.

When to go to Istanbul

It is possible to visit Istanbul all year round; however, during the winter it can get very cold and the summer very hot. Travelling during Spring and Autumn can be less busy and temperatures are more pleasant for sightseeing.